'Safe Haven'

Jay Bobbin

Sincere performances, lovely scenery and other familiar elements of other Nicholas Sparks-based films - and a few new twists - factor into this drama, another trademark Sparks tale of a complicated romance.

A woman (Julianne Hough) on the run has to face her past and consider her future when she is drawn to a North Carolina widower (Josh Duhamel). Her new neighbor (Cobie Smulders, "How I Met Your Mother") tries to help her work through her maze of emotions. Lasse Hallstrom, who also guided the Sparks-inspired "Dear John," directed the film. DVD extras: deleted and extended scenes; alternate ending. *** (PG-13: AS, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand)